9 $443 


PRICE IS CENTS. 



DE WITT’S ACTING* PLAYS. 

(Number 19G.) 



THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP 

COMIC OPERETTA, 

IN ONE ACT. 


WRITTEN AND ADAPTED BY 


ALFRED B. SEDGWICK, 

Author of “Leap Year” “My Walking Photograph” “Estranged,” etc. 


THE MUSIC SELECTED AND ARRANGED, BY A. B. SEDGWICK, FROM 
OFFENBACH’S CELEBRATED OPERA, 

“ LA PRINOESSE DE TREBIZONDE," 


TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

A description of the Costumes—Synopsis of the Piece—Cast of the Characters 
—Entrances and Exits—Relative Positions of the Performers on 
the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. 





gltto-gork : 

ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

No, 33 Hose Street. 



j RUITi; OK, THE FIRST GFASS. A Temperance Drama. In 

NOW j Three Acts. By Wm. Comstock. Price 15 cents. 

BEADY, j ROSE IK I SHELL. A Travesty. In One Act. By Sydney Rosenfeld, 
^ Price 15 cents. 




















































DE WITT’S ACTING PLAYS 


Please notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the followin 
hstof De Witt’s Acting Plays” are very suitable for representation in small Amateur Thea 
tres and on Parlor Stages, as they need but little extrinsic aid from complicated scenery or 
expensive costumes. They have attained their deserved popularity by their droll situations\ 
excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are the\ 
most perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever published either in the United States j| 
or Europe, whether as regards purity of the text, accuracy and fulness of stage directions aneA 
scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of printing. 

*** In ordering please copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which indicate 
the number of the piece in “ De Witt’s List of Acting Plays.” 

Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price—Iff 
cents each. \ 

Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

J\fo. 33 Hose Street, JV'ety York. 

The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of 
Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters—M .male; 
F. female. 


No. 

75. 

114. 

167. 

93. 

40. 
89. 

192. 

166. 

41. 
141. 

67. 

36. 

160. 

70. 

179. 

25. 

24. 

1 . 

69. 

175. 

55. 


M. F. 

Adrienne, drama, 3 acts. 7 3 


Anything for a Change, comedy, 1 3 


Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts.... 7 

Area Belle (The), farce, 1 act. 3 

Atchi, comedietta, 1 act. 3 

Aunt Charlotte’s Maid, farce, 1 act.. 3 
Game of Cards (A), comedietta, 1 3 
Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 

Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act. 2 

Bells (The), drama, 3 acts.... 9 


Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act.. 7 


80. 

65. 

68 . 

76. 

149. 

121 . 

107. 

152. 

52. 

148. 


Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts. 7 

Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts.11 

Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act. 3 

Breach of Promise,, drama, 2 acts.. 5 
Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 1 4 

Cabman, No. 93, farce, 1 act. . 2 

Caste, comedy, 8 acts. 5 

Caught by the Cuff, farce, 1 act.4 

Cast upon the World, drama, 5acts.l0 
Catharine Howard, historical play, 

3 acts.12 

Charming pair, farce, 1 act. 4 

Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts. 6 

Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 
Chops of the Channel, farce, 1 act. 3 

Clouds, comedy, 4 acts. 8 

Comical Countess, farce, 1 act.3 


No. 

21 . 

186. 

47. 

13.. 

200 . 

103. 

9. 


Dreams, drama, 5 acts. 

Duchess de la Valliere, play, 5 acts. 
Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act. 


Estranged, an operetta, 1 act’. 


128. 

101 . 

99. 

145. 

102 . 

88 . 

74. 

53. 

73. 

30. 


interlude, 1 act.... 

Female Detective, drama, 3 acts.. 


act.. 


Founded on Facts, farce, 1 

Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act. 

Gertrude’s Money Box, farce, 1 act’. 
Golden Fetter (Fettered), drama, 3 


113. 

199. 


20 . 

4. 

22 . 

96. 

16. 

58. 

125. 

71. 

142. 


Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act 
Cupid’s Eye-Glass, comedy, 1 act... 1 

Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act.3 

Cut off with a Shilling, comedietta, 

1 act. 2 

Cyrill’s Success, comedy, 5 acts.... 10 
Captain of the Watch (The), come¬ 
dietta, 1 act.4 

Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts .8 

Dandelion’s Dodges, farce, 1 act_ 4 

David t>arrick, comedy, 3 acts. 8 

Dearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act, 4 

Dearer than Life, drama, 3 acts_ 6 

Deborah (Leah) drama, 3 acts. 7 

Deerfoot, farce. 1 act.5 

Doing for the Best, drama, 2 acts.. 5 
Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 acts.. 9 


131. 

28. 

151. 

8 . 

180. 

19. 

60. 

187. 

174. 

64. 

190. 

191. 
197. 

18. 


Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act. 


His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act... 

Home, comedy, 3 acts. ^ „ 

Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act...!. 1 1 


116. 


If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, 
1 act. 


129. 

159. 

122 . 

177. 

100 . 

139. 

17. 

86 . 


stew, 1 act. 


In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act., 

Ion Lnl 1 _ ' 1 . 


_ - ***' A ‘V nuo i.U«i JU1 , 

Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 


Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts... 

It 111 O L’rn-ill- ___ n . 


M. 

F. 


3 

. 6 

4 

. 5 

2 

. 6 

. 5 

. 2 

1 

, 9 

7 

> 

. 4 

1 

11 

4 

11 

10 

10 

O 

<v 

4 

1 

9 

3 

4 

2 

r* 

l 

4 

. 4 

2 

11 

4 

> 

. 5 

3 

. 4 

3 

. 1 

1 

. 2 


.10 

3 

38 

5 

. 3 

2 

5 

5 

. 4 

1 

4 

3 

1 

1 

4 

1 

4 

2 

14 

2 

t 

4 

3 

3 

2 

2 

3 

4 

2 

11 

4 

4 

1 

9 

2 . 

3 

3 

6 

4 

12 

5 

4 

2 






































































THE 




QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 

Comit (©pmtta 

In One Act. 


WRITTEN AND ADAPTED BY 

ALFRED B. SEDGWICK, 

Author of “Leap Year;” “ My Walking Photograph “ EstrangedAc. 


THE MUSIC SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY A. B. SEDGWICK, FROM 
OFFENBACH’S CELEBRATED OPERA, “ LA PRINCESSE 
DE TREBIZONDE.” 


TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES—CAST OF THE CHARACTERS—SYNOP¬ 
SIS OF THE PIECE—ENTRANCES AND EXITS — RELATIVE POSI¬ 
TIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE 
WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 



NEW YORK: 

ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

No. 33 Rose Street. 

(BETWEEN DUANE AND FRANKFORT STREETS.) 


Copyright, 1876, by Robert M. De Witt. 

T' ■ 







2 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 



CHA RA CTERS REPRESENTS D. 
Mary.— A young lady travelling through New York. 
Peter Popper.— A hypochondriac. 


TIME IN REPRESENTATION ABOUT FORTY FIVE MINUTES. 


SCENERY. 

Door. 



Mary.— Light summer travelling dress, arranged for the night. 
Peter Popper. —Heavy coat. Wraps, &c., as if in the depth of 
winter. Gentleman’s summer walking-suit beneath. 


SYNOPSIS. 

Peter Popper is persuaded by liis doctor that be is in a rapid consumption, 
and that should he ever marry, it will cost him his life. The doctor does this 
in order to obtain the hand of Mary, who is a rich heiress, but to whom Popper 
is engaged, although he has never seen her. By accident, in passing through 
New York, she unconsciously finds herself domiciled in Popper’s room. He 
arrives on the same night from Saratoga, where he has been for the benefit of 
his health. Botli are horrified at finding the room occupied by a stranger, but 
after some funny incidents, they both indentify each other. Popper discovers 
the trick that has been played on him Mary and he come to an understanding, 
the doctor is left out in the cold, and the curtain falls. 

NOTE.—The orchestral parts of the music of '‘‘‘The Queerest Courtship ,” 
arranged bg A. B. Sedgwick, for first and second violins, viola ( ad lib.), 
basso , flute, clarionet, cornet , and trombone, can be obtained from Robert M. 
De Witt, Publisher, No. 33 Rose Street, New York. Price $3.00. 

*** The orchestration of this music is arranged so closely as to be played effec¬ 
tively with only five instruments. 


For Properties R»d Stage Directions, See page 31. 















• THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP.” 


[Music at Curtain.] SCENE .—A neat parlor room m boarding 

house. Door in flat C. Practicable window. L. 2 d entrance. 
Covered table P. with two lighted candles. On it pens, ink and 
paper. A lady's traveling basket, full of provisions. A glass of 
water with a flower in it. A rocking chair near it. Another table 
near window L. with Medicine bottles, pill boxes, Ac ., and a tin 
“dispatch” box, lid open. Chad's , pictures, Ac. Mary sitting at 
table R. writing as she reads. 


Mary.— “My dear Aunt : I arrived in town safely; Mrs. Brown’s 
rooms were all let. But she lias kindl} 7 loaned me the use of a suite, 
belonging to a lodger of hers, who is away in Saratoga. Dr. Robinson 
will call at five in the morning to escort me to Trenton.—Where I shall, 
tor the first time—see his mother.”—There! That will make Aunty 
happy ! She was quite in a lever at the idea ot my travelling to New 
York alone. (Looks round.) What a cozy room. Let me see if the 
door’s fastened safely. (.Examines door C.) Yes! All right, and Aunty 
Brown has locked it on the outside for fear I might be disturbed: kind 
old lady. (Goes to table L. examines bottles.) What’s all this? Essence 
of Quinine ? Ayers Cherry Pectoral ? Rhubarb ! Jalop ! This a cozy 
room ? Why its a drug store ! Never mind. I’m not very likely to 
meet the owner. (Yawns.) I’ll, try to get an hour or tw r o’s sleep in 
this chair. (Sits on rocking chair.) Heigho ! 1 have no time to undress 
before my future husband calls for me. Future husband!! How curious 
it is to be engaged to a man one knows so little of, and don’t care much 
about. (Yawns.) Yes, I must get some sleep. ( Takes flower from 
glass and then blows out the candles.) Sweet little flower ! Companion 
of my long journey—you, like myself are weary—and fading away. 


MARY.— (Sings.) 
No. 1. -#• Andantino. 

r 4 


Air.—“Mary. 






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^ Note to Leader. Play first eight bars of this melody from to ^ to take up 

the curtain. 














































4 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 




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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


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—‘-11 


[ She falls asleep during Symphony, Music changes to “ hurry."] 


Peter Popper. — Enters through door C. after fumbling at lock. lie 
has a latch-key in one hand—a dark lantern in the other. He carefully 
closes door after him. lie is muffled up as if in the depth of winter. 

Peteu Poppe i\.—(S ings.) 


IVo. 3. Allegro Moderato. 




















































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 


7 



a - gue is noth - ing to this! Mid- die of 





take me from all eartk-ly bli s ! 




Ah! could I 

















































































































































































































































































































8 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 




































































































































































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 9 

































































































































































































































































































10 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 




Peter. —Ugh! I shiver all over, although it is the middle of June ! 
And yet I keep myself well wrapped; draughts in sleeping cars if they 
are Pullman’s, would pull a man down who was much stronger than I 
am. I’m only an atom. The slightest breath would disperse me. My 
nerves are completely shattered. ( Throws lantern light round room every¬ 
where excepting where Mary sits asleep.) No more badly closed windows ! 
No more damp sheets ! What a comfort to be home. {Coughs.) That 
hacking has a sad sound. I’m evidently worse. Robinson is a smart 
doctor and he says I must fall with the leaf. The trees are still in full 
bloom, but they must wither and I must go with them. I live entirely 
according to rule, and yet I feel no better. I stint myself in food. 
And I can’t think why it is, but my appetite is voracious! Robinson 
says that’s the worst of it. He has given me written directions on the 
subject. {Pulls out pocket-book and referring to memorandum, reads.) “Con¬ 
sumptive people digest food easily. Nothing seems to disagree with 
them. They are inclined to melancholy and a passionate admiration 
of the fair sex.” My case to a dot. I admire every pretty girl, I meet! 
Robinson says that should I fall in love it will be my death. And as to 
melancholy? Why I caught myself while in the cars, writing my own 
Epitaph. 
















































































































































THE QTTFF.P PST Or URTSHIP. 


11 


Peter Popper. — (Sings.) 

“The Epitaph Song.” 

jN"o. 3. Andante Lugubrioso. - Air: —Original, by A. Sedgwick. 



Sneezing ,— ass — ah. 
Business. 



and a cough, For which there’s no as-suage-ment, No as - 







































































































































































































































12 THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 






\ 












































































































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 13 




i i 

























































































































































































































































































14 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


Peter.— Ah! I must learn to hate all women. {He feds round for 
dispatch box. Takes out watch and latch-key, and places them, in it. He then 
proceeds to strike a match. In doing so his arm accidentally comes in contact with 
the box-lid , and it shuts with a snap.) Zounds! That box closes with a 
spring which Mrs. Brown alone knows how to open. And I put my 
latch-key in it. I am a close pris’ner now till she chooses to call me in 
the morning. ( Goughs violently. Lights Candle. Mary wakes up, sees him; 
he drops the light.) Chord. % 

“ Duett.”— Mary & Peter. 


No. 4t. Allegro Vivace. 




9 : ? 


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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 


15 




M i T? V 



Yes, yes! I know, I know they are 



face. Yes, yes! I know, I know she is 



























































































































































































































































































16 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 




(Both screaming.) 























































































































































































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 


17 


-k;- 

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tf-t 1-P 


Pray leave this place. 


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know she is there but I 


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18 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


■ 






Peter.—T ake my money, but spare my life. 

Mary.— Mercy ! Have Mercy ? ( Both strike matches and light the two 

candles. They confront each other across table.) Why, you can’t be a 
robber. 

Peter.— (Aside.) It is a woman, and a pretty one. Oh! my poor 
heart. Death is creeping on. 

Mary.— Leave the room, Sir. 

Peter.— What! Turn me out of my own room? Where did you 
spring from ? 

Mary. —Your room ! ( Confusedly.) Oh ! Sir, I arrived this morning, 
from the country, and, as Mrs. Brown did not expect you home, she — 

Peter. —Why I wrote to say I was coming! (Feels pocket and produces 
letter.) Stay! It’s here. I forgot to mail it. (Takes stage.) Neverthe¬ 
less for both our sakes, you must leave these apartments. But then 
(thinks) I can’t turn you into the street. Give me the key. I’ll go my¬ 
self, even though chivalric feeling should hasten my death. 

Mary. — (Aside.) What a nice respectable young man. (Aloud.) I 
have no key. Mrs. Brown locked me in for safety. 

Peter. —Botheration. And mine is shut up in yonder dispatch-box, 
by a secret spring. 

Mary. — (Angrily.) Indeed! An excellent excuse! But I insist on 
leaving this room. I’m in danger. 








































































































































































TITE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


n 


Peter.—W ell, I like that. How are you going? Up the chinmey ? 
Why it’s I that am in danger. (Aside.) Her eyes pierce me through. 
I’m in dreadful danger. My pulse is up amongst the nineties. (Aloud. ) 
I’ll call the Police. (Aside.) But then, alas, they won’t come. 

Mary.—N o ! no ! Don’t do that! You will ruin my character. 
Peter.—D o you think we ought to remain here Ly ourselves? I’d 
better call out. (Softly.) Police. 

Mary.—D on’t be a monster. What will people say if they find us 
locked up at night together ? 

Peter.—P m not afraid of public opinion myself ! 

Mary. — Nor would I be—were I a man. 

Peter. — (Aside.) The little angel! How pretty she looks. Beware, 
Peter Popper. There’s death in such thoughts. 

Mary.—W e must remain here quietly till daybreak. I rely on your 
honor, Sir. 

Peter.—W ith safety ! (Aside.) IIow my feelings belie my words. 
(Coughs.) 

Mary.—Y ou have a cold. There was a fire in the other room. It’s 
not quite out. Let me fan up the flame ? 

Peter. — (Aside.) That is exactly what you are doing. (Aloud.) No! 
No ! I can’t stay here, I must go. ( Opens window L. storm and rain heard. 
Lightning, d'c.) 

Mary.—H eavens! Why you are surely never going to jump out? 
What a night! Do come away. You will catch your death of cold. 

Peter.— (Shutting window in haste, and shivering.) Indiscreet young 
Feminine ! Do you know what you are saying ? ( Solemnly .) That death 
will be brought on by you. 

Mary.— What do you say ? 

Peter.— Nothing ! Everything! (Aside.) My admiration is intense. 
I burn ! I freeze ! I must be in the last stage of consumption. (Aloud.) 
I am cold and hungry. I have eaten nothing since this morning. 

Mary. - How shocking ! Let me offer you some supper. 

Peter.—E h ? How can we get any. Ain’t we locked in? 

Mary.—T rue! But still I can invite you. Aunt filled my basket 
with all sorts of “goodies” before I left home, and I have not yet 
touched them. Please lay the cloth. 

Peter. — Cloth ? 

Mary. -1 forgot. We must do without one. (Opening haslcet.) Here’s 
some cold chicken, and ham, and wine, and— (producing articles.) 

Peter. - Delightful. And (producing case from on table L.) here’s a 
knife, fork and spoon, a present from my Aunt when I was a pretty in¬ 
nocent little darling, in short unmentionables. The knife and fork for 
you ! The spoon for me! 

Mary.— Well, all is ready. Now for supper. 


20 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


“Duett.”—Mary & Peter, 

IVo. 5. Allegro quasi Allegretto. 

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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 21 




; 2 eb 




v— v— 


—i- 


-v- 


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I have lost my head in love, 

A 4L 


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I’m in love, so 



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22 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP 



Mary. 























































































































































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


23 




Chick-en! ev’ - rv - thing that’s nice ! Good port wine! and 


£ 

H?' 

y 0 


Y -' 2 

■t 


9 _ 






Not a hit I’ve eat to - day. 


_ ^ Ju. 

(Aside.) 


Yet, the sight of 








































































































































































































































































































24 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP 




--0 - 

- 1 - 

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-1- 

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sliy; Pray take a seat, Take a 















































































































































































































































































































THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


25 



Peter.—N ow if any one had told me this morning that I should be 
supping tete-a-tete, with a pretty girl— 

Mary. —Nothing frightful about that I hope, Sir! 

Peter.— {Aside. ) Oh! my nerves! why does she look at me so. {Seizes 
water pitcher, and drinks nervously.) 

Mary.—S ir ! Sir ! You will leave no water for me. 

Peter.—I can’t help it. I have an inward fire to put out. 

Mary.—Y our position is no funnier than mine. Am I not passing 
the night in a strange house, with a strange young man—two days be¬ 
fore my marriage ? 

Peter. —Your marriage?!!! Oh, la! I’m defunct before the fall of 
the leaf. Do you mean to say— 

Mary.—Y es ! I’m to be married next Thursday. 

Peter. —And who is the Vampire—the Idiot? 

Mary. —No Sir ! He's no Idiot! Little as I care for him, I can’t say 
that. For with very little trouble he cheated the man who had a real 
claim to my hand, out of both that and my fortune. 

Peter. —Eh ! This becomes interesting. 

Mary.—Y es ! You see I live in Portland— 

Peter. — {Starting. ) Portland. 

Mary.—Y es! And a rich old uncle who died in California, willed me 
all his money on condition that I should marry a cousin whom I havo 
never seen. Should I marry anyone else without that cousin s consent, 
my property reverts to an Insane Asylum. 

Peter. —And that stupid fool of a cousin— 

Mary. - Oh ! There was no trouble there. Dr. Robinson 

Peter .— {Starting. ) Robinson ?!!! 

Mary.—Y es ! What ails you. Dr. Robinson persuaded him that he 
was in a rapid consumption, and that if he even dared to think of 
matrimony it would cause his death. He belieyes it all, and to-day 
Robinson’s lawyer, is to ca|l on him to sign the release. 




















































































































26 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


Peter. —{Excited.) And do you mean to say that there is really 
nothing the matter with him. 

Mary.— No more than with you or I. He made poor Peter Popper 
believe—ha, ha, ha ! 

Peter. — {hi agony.) Peter Popper ?!!! 

Mary.— Can you conceive that any man could be— 

Peter. — Such a confounded fool? Yes! I know of one. ( Goes to 
table. Pours out successive glasses of wine and drinks rapidly.) But I’ll soon 
find out who’s the invalid. ( Throws off his Coats. ) 

Mary. — Gracious ! Why the man’s intoxicated. 

Peter. — {Dancing round.) Intoxicated? Yes! with joy. {Throws 
himself at her feet. ) Mary ! dearest Mary ! Will you have me. 

Voice.— (Outside, and knocking at door C.) Miss Mary — are you ready? 
It’s time for us to start. 

Peter. — (Rising.) Go by yourself and be hanged to you. 

Voice.— Hallo ! A man in Mary’s room ? 

Peter. — No! Mr. Doctor Bobinson. It’s Mary who is in my room. 
I—Peter Popper—forbid the bans. I’m cured of consumption and go¬ 
ing to marry her myself. 

Voice.— Done! done! (The door is kicked, and voice gradually subsides 
as if go>ng down stairs swearing.) 

Peter. —Yes ! my friend ! done. If your name was not Bobinson, 
it might have been Dunn Brown. But kicking a harmless door is 
cruelty to dumb animals. 

Mary.— And do you mean to say that you are Peter Popper. 

Peter. — Yes ! And the one you always intended to marry. 

Mary.— Well, I never did really care for Bobinson. 

Peter. — (Dancing round.) I knew it. I knew it. 

Mary.— Aud where’s the cough. 

Peter.— Made a present of it to Bobinson. 


“Duett.”—Mary Sc Peter. 





















































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28 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 


29 




wife I’ll make, Sing Bourn ba la bourn, sing bourn ba la 




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30 


THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP, 


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THE QUEEREST COURTSHIP. 


31 


LIST OF PROPERTIES. 

Two handsome tables with covers; on them lighted candles in handsome can¬ 
dlesticks, matches, pens, ink, paper, envelopes, a glass of water with a rose or 
some other flower in it; a water pitcher and glasses, a ladies travelling basket 
with provisions in it; cold chicken, port wine, cake, biscuit, &c. On table R, a 
pocket case containing knife, fork, and spoon; and a tin dispatch box that closes 
with a spring. On table C, a smaller side table on which are to be placed medicine 
bottles, pill boxes, &c. A rocking chair and four other chairs. 

A dark lantern, a latch key, a pocket book with memoranda, and a gold watch 
chain for Peter. 


EXPLANATION OF THE STAGE DIRECTIONS. 


The Actor is supposed to face the Audience. 


D. R. C. C. D. D. L. C. 


R. U. E. SCENE. 



R. 2 E. 


/ 

R. 1 E. 

/ 

R. R. C. C. 

AUDIENCE. 


L. U. E. 



L. 1 E. 


\ 


L. C. L. 




l. Left. 

l. c. Left Centre. 

l. l e. Left First Entrance. 

l. 2 e. Left Second Entrance. 

l. 3 e. Left Third Entrance. 

l. u. e. Left Upper Entrance 

(wherever this Scene may be,) 
d. l. c. Door Left Centre. 


c. Centre. 

r. Right. 

r l e. Right First Entrance. 
r. 2 E. Right Second Entrance. 
r. 3 E. Right Third Entrance. 
r. u. e. Right Upper Entrance, 
i). r. c. Door Right Ceutx-e. 



































I 











\ 










DE WITT’S ACTING PLAYS (Continued). 


No. M. F. 

144. Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts. 12 3 
34. Larkins’ Love Letters, farce, 1 act.. 3 2 
137. L’Article 47, drama, 3 acts.11 5 

111. Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts. 7 2 

119. Life Chase, drama, 5 acts.14 5 

1(55. Living Statue (The), farce, 1 act_ 3 2 

48. Little Annie’s Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 4 

32. Little Rebel, farce, 1 act. 4 3 

164. Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts. 6 6 

109. Locked In, comedietta, 1 act. 2 2 

"5. Locked In with a Lady, sketch, 1 act. 1 1 

T . Locked Out, comic scene. 1 2 

lv Lodgers and Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 2 
189. Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act... 1 1 
163. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts.10 3 

154. Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts . 8 6 
63. Marriage at Any Price, farce, 1 act. 5 3 
39. Master Jones’Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

7. Maud’s Peril, drama, 4 acts. 5 3 

49. Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act. 8 2 

15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts. 4 2 

46. Miriam’s Crime, drama, 3 acts. 5 2 

51. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act. 3 2 

184. Money, comedy, 5 acts.17 3 

108. Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act. 3 3 

188. Mr. X., farce, 1 act. 3 3 

169. My Uncle’s Suit, farce, 1 act. 4 1 

130. My Wife’s Diary, farce, 1 act. 3 1 

92. My W'ife’s Out, farce, 1 act. 2 2 

193. My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act . . 1 1 

140. Never Reckon Your Chickens, etc., 

farce, 1 act. 3 4 

115. New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 5 

2. Nobody’s child, drama, 3 acts. 8 3 

57. Noemie, drama, 2 acts. 4 4 

104. No Name, drama, 5 acts. 7 5 

112. Not a Bit Jealous, farce, 1 act. 3 3 

185. Not So Bad as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 3 

84. Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts.10 6 

117. Not Such a Fool as He Looks, drama, 

3 acts. 5 4 

171. Nothing Like Paste, farce, 1 act_ 3 1 

14. No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts and 

prologue.13 6 

173. Off the Stage, comedietta, 1 act_3 3 

176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 2 
90. Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act.2 2 

170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

33. One too Many for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 3 

3. £100,000, comedy, 3 acts. 8 4 

97. Orange Bio-soms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 3 
66. Orange Girl, drama, in prologue 

and 3 acts.18 4 

172. Ours, comedy, 3 acts. 6 3 

94. Our Clerks, farce, 1 act. 7 5 

45. Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 6 

155. Our Heroes, military play. 5 acts.. .24 5 
178. Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 

4 acts.16 5 

147. Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts—11 5 

156. Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act— 1 1 

82. Peep o’ Day, drama, 4 acts.. .12 4 

127. Peggy Green, farce, 1 act.3 10 

23. Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, 

in one act.15 24 

62. Photographic Fix, farce, 1 act. 3 2 


NO. 31 . f. 

61. Plot and Passion, drama, 3 acts_7 2 

138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesque, 1 

act.10 3 

110. Poppleton’s Predicaments, farce, 13 6 

50. Porter’s Knot, drama, 2 acts.8 2 

59. Post Boy, drama, 2 acts. 5 3 

95. Pretty Horse-Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 10 
181 and 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 acts.38 8 


157. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act... 5 2 
196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op 

eretta, 1 act. 1 1 

132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act.10 

183. Richelieu, play, 5 acts.16 2 

38. Rightful Heir, drama, 5 acts.10 2 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts_8 4 

13. Ruy Bias, drama, 4 acts.12 4 

194. Rum, drama, 3 acts. 7 4 

195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 

scenes .. 6 3 

158. School, comedy, 4 acts. 6 6 

79. Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing, drama, 17 5 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act. 3 2 

35. Silent Woman, farce, 1 act.2 1 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta, 1 act.. 7 2 
6. Six Months Ago, comedietta, 1 act. 2 1 

10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act.. 1 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts.16 5 

78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act.. 7 3 

31. Taming a Tiger, farce, 1 act. 3 

150. Tell-Tale Heart, comedietta, 1 act.. 1 2 
120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 2 1 
146. There’s no Smoke Without Fire, 

comedietta, 1 act. 1 2 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 

1 act. 6 1 

42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts.. 7 3 

27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue. 7 5 

133. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act. 4 2 
153. ’Tis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act. 2 1 

134. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 13 2 

29. Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act-5 3 

168. Tweedie’s Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 2 
126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act. 6 3 

56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act-3 

123. Two Polts, farce, 1 act.4 4 

198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, 

1 act. 3 1 

162. Uncle’s Will, comedietta, 1 act. 2 1 

106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act. 6 2 
81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act. 3 3 

124. Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act. 6 6 

91. Walpole, comedy, 3 acts. 7 2 

118. Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 

44. Wanto the Knife, comedy, 3 acts... 5 4 
105. Which of the Two? comedietta, 1 act 2 10 

98. Who is Who? farce, 1 act. 3 2 

12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts.4 4 

5. William Tell with a Vengeance, 

burlesque. 8 2 

136. Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and 

pi-ologue.. 6 

161. Woman’s Vows and Mason’s Oaths, 

4 acts.10 4 

11. Woodcock’s Little Game, farce, 2 4 4 
54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 13 3 


DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



A COMPLETE 


of DE WITT’S ACTING PLAYS AND DE WITT’S 
ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS , containing Plot, Costume, Scenery,. 

Time of Representation and every other information, mailed free and post paid. Address, 

ROBERT M. DE WITT, 33 Rose Street, New York. 

















































































SB WITT'S ETHIOPIAN & PomlaSwuiS 


Nothing so thorough and complete in the way of Ethiopian and Comic Dramas has ever 
been printed as these that appear in the following list. Not only are the plots excellent, the 
characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations, by-play, 
positions, pantomimic business, scenery, and tricks are so plainly set down and clearly ex¬ 
plained, that the merest novice could put any of them on the stage. Included in this catalogue 
are all the most laughable and effective pieces of their class ever produced. 

*** In or dering, please copy the figures at the commencement of each play, which indicate 
the number of the piece in “ De Witt’s Ethiopian and Comic Drama.” 

ffieT" Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price —13 Cents 
Each. 


Address, 


ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

JV'o. 33 Nose Street } A r ew York. 


The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Acts, 
figures in the columns indicate the number of characters.—M. male ; F. female. 

*** Female characters are generally assumed by males in these plays. 


The 


No. M. F. 

73. African Box, burlesque, 2 scenes... 5 
6. Black Chap from Whitechapel, 
eccentric sketch, 1 scene. 4 

10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene.3 

11. Black Ey’d William, 2 scenes.4 1 

24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 

40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene.4 

42. Bad Whiskey, sketch, 1 scene.2 1 

43. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes... 7 1 

78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes.5 2 

79. Barney's Courtship, musical Irish 

sketch, 1 scene. 1 1 

89. Bogus Talking Machine, Dutch 4 
35. Coal Heavers’ Revenge, 1 scene.. 6 

41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes.8 1 

12. Daguerreotypes, sketch . 3 

50. Draft (The), sketch, 1 act, 2 scenes. 6 
53. Damon and Pythias, burlesque, 2 

scenes.5 1 

63. Darkey’s Stratagem, sketch, 1 act.. 3 1 

64. Dutchman’s Ghost, Dutch sketch, 

1 scene. 4 1 

95. Dutch Justice, Dutch sketch, 1 

scene. 11 

4. Eh ? What is it ? sketch, 1 scene... 4 1 
52. Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene.10 1 

67. Editor’s Troubles, farce, in 1 scene.. 6 
98. Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes... 4 1 

25. Fe low That Looks Like Me, inter¬ 

lude, 1 scene.2 1 

51. Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
88. First Night (The), Dutch sketch, 4 

scenes.4 2 

17. Ghost (The), sketch, 1 scene.2 

31. Glycerine Oil, sketch, 2 scenes. 3 

20. Going for the Cup, interlude, 1 scene 4 
58. Ghost in a Pawnshop, 1 scene.. 4 

70. Guide to the Stage, sketch, 1 scene. 3 
77. Getting Square on the Call Boy, 

sketch, 1 scene. 3 

82. Good Night's Rest, sketch, 1 scene 3 

83. German Emigrant, Dutch sketch, 1 

scene. 3 1 

86. Gripsack, sketch, 1 scene. 3 

3. Hemmed In, sketch, 1 scene.3 1 

23. Hard Times, extravaganza, 1 scene. 5 1 
48. High Jack, the Heeler, 1 scene.. 6 
61. Happy Couple, sketch, 1 scene.2 1 

68. Ilippotheatron, sketch, 1 scene.9 

71. In and Out, sketch, 1 scene. 2 

33. Jealous Husband, sketch, 1 scene 2 1 


No. M. F. 

94. Julius the Snoozer, burlesque, 3 

scenes. 7 

1. Last of the Mohicans, 1 scene_ 3 1 

18. Live Injun, sketch, 4 scenes.4 1 

35. Laughing Gas, sketch, 1 scene.6 1 

37. Lucky Job, farce, 2 scenes.3 2 

60. Lost Will, sketch, 1 scene.4 

90. Lunatic (The), sketch, 1 scene.3 

8. Mutton Trial, sketch. 2 scenes.4 

19. Malicious Trespass, sketch, 1 scene. 3 

44. Musical Servant, sketch, 1 scene... 3 

96. Midnight Intruder (Thel, 1 scene.. 6 1 

101. Molly Moriarty, Irish musical 

sketch, 1 scene. 1 1 

49. Night in a Strange Hotel, 1 scene_2 

22. Obeying Orders, sketch, 1 scene... 2 1 
27. One' Hundredth Night of Hamlet, 

sketch, 1 scene.7 1 

30. One Night in a Bar Room, sketch, 

1 scene.7 

76. One, Two. Three, sketch, 1 scene.. 7 

9. Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene.7 

57. Pompey’s Patients, interlude, 2 

scenes. 6 

65. Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene.. 6 1 

66. Port Wine vs. Jealousy, 1 scene.. 2 1 
87. Pete the Peddlar, negro and Irish 

sketch, 1 scene.4 

sketch, 1 scene.2 1 

91. Painter’s Apprentice (The), 1 scene 5 

92. Polar Bear (The,) farce, 1 scene_5 

14. Recruiting Office, sketch, 2 scenes. 5 

26. Rival Tenants, sketch, 1 scene.4 

45. Remittance from Home, 1 scene... 6 

55. Rigging a Purchase, 1 scene.2 

81. Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene.3 

7. Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 scene_2 

13. Streets of New York, sketch, 1 scene 6 

15. Sam’s Courtship, farce, 1 scene_2 1 

80. Scenes on the Mississippi, sketch, 2 

scenes . 6 

84. Serenade (The), sketch. 2 scenes... 7 
100. Three Chiefs (Thel, sketch, 2 scenes 6 

102. Three, A. M.. sketch, 1 scene.3 1 

75. Weston the Walkist, Dutch sketch, 

1 scene. 7 1 

93. What Shall I Take ? sketch, 2 scenes 8 1 

97. Who's the Actor ? farce, 1 scene... 4 
99. Wrong Woman in the Right Place 

(The), farce, 2 scenes. 3 1 

85. Young Scamp (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 























































